Australian military chief criticizes senator over harassment disclosure

Admiral Mark Hammond, Chief of the Australian Defence Force, has admonished Senator Jacqui Lambie for publicly disclosing an investigation into a recording device found in a female bathroom aboard the HMAS Leeuwin. The camera was discovered on October 11 while the naval ship was docked in Cairns.

Senator Lambie, a military veteran, was tipped off about the device by a former navy member and raised the issue on the Senate floor three days after the discovery. Admiral Hammond expressed dismay during Senate estimates hearings, stating that the investigation was already underway and requesting that such information be brought to his attention before gaining national attention.

The naval member suspected of planting the device was stood down without pay on October 19. While Senator Lambie raised concerns that footage might have been uploaded online, Vice Admiral Mark Buckley stated there is currently no evidence to support that claim. Admiral Hammond described the incident as an ‘appalling violation of trust’ and a ‘betrayal,’ while rejecting calls to move sexual violence investigations outside of the defence force's control.